Scaffolds having radiopaque markers

ABSTRACT

A scaffold includes a radiopaque marker connected to a strut. The marker is retained within the strut by one or more of a mechanical interference fit, a polymer coating or melt, and/or by friction. The marker can take the form of a bead, rivet or snap-in marker, or a tube deformed when attached to the strut. The strut is made from a tube. The strut has a thickness of about 100 microns.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to bioresorbable scaffolds; more particularly, this invention relates to bioresorbable scaffolds for treating an anatomical lumen of the body.

2. Description of the State of the Art

Radially expandable endoprostheses are artificial devices adapted to be implanted in an anatomical lumen. An “anatomical lumen” refers to a cavity, or duct, of a tubular organ such as a blood vessel, urinary tract, and bile duct. Stents are examples of endoprostheses that are generally cylindrical in shape and function to hold open and sometimes expand a segment of an anatomical lumen. Stents are often used in the treatment of atherosclerotic stenosis in blood vessels. “Stenosis” refers to a narrowing or constriction of the diameter of a bodily passage or orifice. In such treatments, stents reinforce the walls of the blood vessel and prevent restenosis following angioplasty in the vascular system. “Restenosis” refers to the reoccurrence of stenosis in a blood vessel or heart valve after it has been treated (as by balloon angioplasty, stenting, or valvuloplasty) with apparent success.

The treatment of a diseased site or lesion with a stent involves both delivery and deployment of the stent. “Delivery” refers to introducing and transporting the stent through an anatomical lumen to a desired treatment site, such as a lesion. “Deployment” corresponds to expansion of the stent within the lumen at the treatment region. Delivery and deployment of a stent are accomplished by positioning the stent about one end of a catheter, inserting the end of the catheter through the skin into the anatomical lumen, advancing the catheter in the anatomical lumen to a desired treatment location, expanding the stent at the treatment location, and removing the catheter from the lumen.

The following terminology is used. When reference is made to a “stent”, this term will refer to a permanent structure, usually comprised of a metal or metal alloy, generally speaking, while a scaffold will refer to a structure comprising a bioresorbable polymer, or other resorbable material such as an erodible metal, and capable of radially supporting a vessel for a limited period of time, e.g., 3, 6 or 12 months following implantation. It is understood, however, that the art sometimes uses the term “stent” when referring to either type of structure.

Scaffolds and stents traditionally fall into two general categories—balloon expanded and self-expanding. The later type expands (at least partially) to a deployed or expanded state within a vessel when a radial restraint is removed, while the former relies on an externally-applied force to configure it from a crimped or stowed state to the deployed or expanded state.

Self-expanding stents are designed to expand significantly when a radial restraint is removed such that a balloon is often not needed to deploy the stent. Self-expanding stents do not undergo, or undergo relatively no plastic or inelastic deformation when stowed in a sheath or expanded within a lumen (with or without an assisting balloon). Balloon expanded stents or scaffolds, by contrast, undergo a significant plastic or inelastic deformation when both crimped and later deployed by a balloon.

In the case of a balloon expandable stent, the stent is mounted about a balloon portion of a balloon catheter. The stent is compressed or crimped onto the balloon. Crimping may be achieved by use of an iris-type or other form of crimper, such as the crimping machine disclosed and illustrated in US 2012/0042501. A significant amount of plastic or inelastic deformation occurs both when the balloon expandable stent or scaffold is crimped and later deployed by a balloon. At the treatment site within the lumen, the stent is expanded by inflating the balloon.

The stent must be able to satisfy a number of basic, functional requirements. The stent (or scaffold) must be capable of sustaining radial compressive forces as it supports walls of a vessel. Therefore, a stent must possess adequate radial strength. After deployment, the stent must adequately maintain its size and shape throughout its service life despite the various forces that may come to bear on it. In particular, the stent must adequately maintain a vessel at a prescribed diameter for a desired treatment time despite these forces. The treatment time may correspond to the time required for the vessel walls to remodel, after which the stent is no longer needed.

Examples of bioresorbable polymer scaffolds include those described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,002,817 to Limon, U.S. Pat. No. 8,303,644 to Lord, and U.S. Pat. No. 8,388,673 to Yang. FIG. 1 shows a distal region of a bioresorbable polymer scaffold designed for delivery through anatomical lumen using a catheter and plastically expanded using a balloon. The scaffold has a cylindrical shape having a central axis 2 and includes a pattern of interconnecting structural elements, which will be called bar arms or struts 4. Axis 2 extends through the center of the cylindrical shape formed by the struts 4. The stresses involved during compression and deployment are generally distributed throughout the struts 4 but are focused at the bending elements, crowns or strut junctions. Struts 4 include a series of ring struts 6 that are connected to each other at crowns 8. Ring struts 6 and crowns 8 form sinusoidal rings 5. Rings 5 are arranged longitudinally and centered on an axis 2. Struts 4 also include link struts 9 that connect rings 5 to each other. Rings 5 and link struts 9 collectively form a tubular scaffold 10 having axis 2 represent a bore or longitudinal axis of the scaffold 10. Ring 5 d is located at a distal end of the scaffold. Crown 8 form smaller angles when the scaffold 10 is crimped to a balloon and larger angles when plastically expanded by the balloon. After deployment, the scaffold is subjected to static and cyclic compressive loads from surrounding tissue. Rings 5 are configured to maintain the scaffold's radially expanded state after deployment.

Scaffolds may be made from a biodegradable, bioabsorbable, bioresorbable, or bioerodable polymer. The terms biodegradable, bioabsorbable, bioresorbable, biosoluble or bioerodable refer to the property of a material or stent to degrade, absorb, resorb, or erode away from an implant site. Scaffolds may also be constructed of bioerodible metals and alloys. The scaffold, as opposed to a durable metal stent, is intended to remain in the body for only a limited period of time. In many treatment applications, the presence of a stent in a body may be necessary for a limited period of time until its intended function of, for example, maintaining vascular patency and/or drug delivery is accomplished. Moreover, it has been shown that biodegradable scaffolds allow for improved healing of the anatomical lumen as compared to metal stents, which may lead to a reduced incidence of late stage thrombosis. In these cases, there is a desire to treat a vessel using a polymer scaffold, in particular a bioabsorable or bioresorbable polymer scaffold, as opposed to a metal stent, so that the prosthesis's presence in the vessel is temporary.

Polymeric materials considered for use as a polymeric scaffold, e.g. poly(L-lactide) (“PLLA”), poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (“PLGA”), poly(D-lactide-co-glycolide) or poly(L-lactide-co-D-lactide) (“PLLA-co-PDLA”) with less than 10% D-lactide, poly(L-lactide-co-caprolactone), poly(caprolactone), PLLD/PDLA stereo complex, and blends of the aforementioned polymers may be described, through comparison with a metallic material used to form a stent, in some of the following ways. Polymeric materials typically possess a lower strength to volume ratio compared to metals, which means more material is needed to provide an equivalent mechanical property. Therefore, struts must be made thicker and wider to have the required strength for a stent to support lumen walls at a desired radius. The scaffold made from such polymers also tends to be brittle or have limited fracture toughness. The anisotropic and rate-dependent inelastic properties (i.e., strength/stiffness of the material varies depending upon the rate at which the material is deformed, in addition to the temperature, degree of hydration, thermal history) inherent in the material, only compound this complexity in working with a polymer, particularly, bioresorbable polymers such as PLLA or PLGA.

One additional challenge with using a bioresorbable polymer (and polymers generally composed of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen) for a scaffold structure is that the material is radiolucent with no radiopacity. Bioresorbable polymers tend to have x-ray absorption similar to body tissue. A known way to address the problem is to attach radiopaque markers to structural elements of the scaffold, such as a strut, bar arm or link. For example, FIG. 1 shows a link element 9 d connecting a distal end ring 5 d to an adjacent ring 5. The link element 9 d has a pair of holes. Each of the holes holds a radiopaque marker 11. There are challenges to the use of the markers 11 with the scaffold 10.

There needs to be a reliable way of attaching the markers 11 to the link element 9 d so that the markers 11 will not separate from the scaffold during a processing step like crimping the scaffold to a balloon or when the scaffold is balloon-expanded from the crimped state. These two events—crimping and balloon expansion—are particularly problematic for marker adherence to the scaffold because both events induce significant plastic deformation in the scaffold body. If this deformation causes significant out of plane or irregular deformation of struts supporting, or near to markers the marker can dislodge (e.g., if the strut holding the marker is twisted or bent during crimping the marker can fall out of its hole). A scaffold with radiopaque markers and methods for attaching the marker to a scaffold body is discussed in US20070156230.

There is a continuing need to improve upon the reliability of radiopaque marker securement to a scaffold; and there is also a need to improve upon methods of attaching radiopaque markers to meet demands for scaffold patterns or structure that render prior methods of marker attachment in adequate or unreliable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

What is disclosed are scaffolds having radiopaque markers and methods for attaching radiopaque markers to a strut, link or bar arm of a polymeric scaffold.

According to one aspect markers are re-shaped to facilitate a better retention within a marker hole. Examples include a marker shaped as a tube or rivet.

According to another aspect a hole for retaining the marker is re-shaped to better secure the marker in the hole. Examples include holes having polygonal shapes or holes having grooves.

According to another aspect of the invention a scaffold structure for holding a marker and method for making the same addresses a need to maintain a low profile for struts exposed in the bloodstream, while ensuring the marker will be securely held in the strut. Low profiles for struts mean thinner struts or thinner portions of struts. The desire for low profiles addresses the degree thrombogenicity of the scaffold, which can be influenced by a strut thickness overall and/or protrusion from a strut surface. Blood compatibility, also known as hemocompatibility or thromboresistance, is a desired property for scaffolds and stents. The adverse event of scaffold thrombosis, while a very low frequency event, carries with it a high incidence of morbidity and mortality. To mitigate the risk of thrombosis, dual anti-platelet therapy is administered with all coronary scaffold and stent implantation. This is to reduce thrombus formation due to the procedure, vessel injury, and the implant itself. Scaffolds and stents are foreign bodies and they all have some degree of thrombogenicity. The thrombogenicity of a scaffold refers to its propensity to form thrombus and this is due to several factors, including strut thickness, strut width, strut shape, total scaffold surface area, scaffold pattern, scaffold length, scaffold diameter, surface roughness and surface chemistry. Some of these factors are interrelated. Low strut profile also leads to less neointimal proliferation as the neointima will proliferate to the degree necessary to cover the strut. As such coverage is a necessary step to complete healing. Thinner struts are believed to endothelialize and heal more rapidly.

Markers attached to a scaffold having thinner struts, however, may not hold as reliably as a scaffold having thicker struts since there is less surface contact area between the strut and marker. Embodiments of invention address this need. According to another aspect a thickness of the marker and strut is kept below threshold values while reliably retaining the marker in the hole.

According to other aspects of the invention, there is a scaffold, medical device, method for making such a scaffold, method of attaching a marker to a strut or bar arm of a scaffold, or method for assembly of a medical device comprising such a scaffold having one or more, or any combination of the following things (1) through (19):

-   -   (1) A method to reduce the thrombogenicity, or a scaffold having         reduced thrombogenicity, the scaffold comprising a strut, the         strut including a strut thickness and a marker attached to the         strut, wherein the strut has a thickness (t) and the marker has         a length (L, as measured from abluminal to luminal surface         portions) and is held in the strut, the marker including a         portion that can protrude outward from an abluminal and/or         luminal surface of the strut, wherein the marker length (L) and         strut/link/bar arm thickness (t) are related as follows:         1.2≦(L/t)≦1.8; 1.1≦(L′/t)≦1.5; 1.0≦(L/t)≦1.8; and/or         1.0≦(L′/t)≦1.5, where L is an undeformed length (e.g., rivet,         tube), L′ is a deformed length (e.g. a rivet, coating or snap-in         marker between abluminal and luminal surfaces).     -   (2) A scaffold comprising a bar arm, link or strut having a hole         holding a marker, or a method for making the same according to         one or more, or any combination of features described for a         Concept A through Concept G infra and with reference to         illustrative examples shown in FIGS. 3A-3C, FIGS. 4A, 4B, 5A and         5B, FIGS. 6A and 6B, FIG. 6C, FIGS. 7A-7B, FIGS. 8A-8C, FIGS.         9A-9C, FIGS. 10A-10B, FIGS. 11A-11B, FIGS. 12A-12B and FIGS.         13A-13B, respectively.     -   (3) An aspect ratio (AR) of strut width (w) to wall         thickness (t) (AR=w/t) is between 0.5 to 2.0, 0.5 to 1.5, 0.7 to         1.5, 0.7 to 1.3, 0.9 to 1.5, 0.9 to 1.2, 1.0 to 1.5, 1.5 to 2.0,         or 2.0 to 3.0;     -   (4) A scaffold comprising a strut, link and/or bar arm including         a marker secured to the strut, link and/or bar arm according to         any of Concept A, Concept B, Concept C, Concept D, Concept E,         Concept F or Concept G-type markers.     -   (5) A scaffold comprising a deformed marker secured to a strut,         bar arm and/or link, wherein the marker is a rivet, snap-fit,         irregularly-shaped, tube or spherical marker before the marker         is deformed.     -   (6) A marker having a head and a tail such as a rivet, hollow         tube, solid tube, polygonal, oblate spheroid, and/or spherical         body. The marker is secured to a strut, bar arm, link and/or         connector.     -   (7) A combined bump (luminal side plus abluminal side, and         referring to a portion of a marker and/or polymer at the marker)         is no more than a strut or link thickness, e.g., no more than         100 or 85 microns, so that the length at the marker is at most         twice a strut or bar arm thickness at the marker.     -   (8) A combined bump (luminal side plus abluminal side, and         referring to a portion of a marker and/or polymer at the marker)         is at least 10-50% more than a thickness of a strut or bar arm         at the marker.     -   (9) A wall thickness for a scaffold (pre-crimp diameter of 3 to         5 mm) is less than 150 microns, less than 140 microns, less than         130 microns, about 100 micron, 80 to 100 microns, 80 to 120         microns, 90 to 100 microns, 90 to 110 microns, 110 to 120         microns, or 95 to 105 microns. More preferably a wall thickness         is between 80 and 100 microns, and more preferably between 85         and 95 microns; and     -   (10) A wall thickness for a scaffold (pre-crimp diameter of 7 to         10 mm) is less than 280 microns, less than 260 microns, less         than 240 microns, about 190 micron, 149 to 186 microns, 149 to         220 microns, 170 to 190 microns, 170 to 210 microns, 210 to 220         microns. More preferably a wall thickness is between 150 and 190         microns for a scaffold having an outer diameter of 7, 8 or 9 mm.     -   (11) A polymeric scaffold is heated about 0-20 degrees above its         Tg during or after marker placement.     -   (12) The radiopaque marker is comprised of platinum,         platinum/iridium alloy, iridium, tantalum, palladium, tungsten,         niobium, zirconium, iron, zinc, magnesium, manganese or their         alloys.     -   (13) A method for making a medical device, comprising: providing         a polymer scaffold including a strut having a hole formed in the         strut, wherein the hole has a length and a width; and providing         a radiopaque marker having a first end, second end, and medial         portions; and attaching the marker to the scaffold including         placing the marker into the hole; wherein when the marker is         attached to the scaffold the medial portion is disposed in the         hole and the marker is retained in the hole at least partially         by one or both of the first and second ends.     -   (14) The method of (6) according to one or more, or any         combination of the following things: wherein the attaching step         includes deforming at least one of the first and second ends         such that the deformed end has a width greater than the hole         width; wherein the marker is a rivet having a head and tail, and         wherein the tail is the deformed end; wherein the rivet head is         placed on a luminal side of the strut and held in place by a         mandrel, and the tail disposed on the abluminal strut side is         deformed by a roller or pin; wherein the marker is a tube and         both the first and second ends are deformed to have a width         greater than the hole width; wherein the attaching step includes         using a tool having jaws forming points to engage the tube ends,         wherein the jaws deform the ends; wherein the marker is a         snap-fit marker; wherein the marker has an undeformed length         (L), a deformed length (L′), and the strut has a thickness (t),         and the marker lengths and strut thickness are related as         follows: 1.2≦(L/t)≦1.8; 1.1≦(L′/t)≦1.5; and/or wherein the         marker has an undeformed length (L), a deformed length (L′), and         the strut has a thickness (t), and the marker lengths and strut         thickness are related as follows: 1.0≦(L/t)≦1.8; and         1.0≦(L′/t)≦1.5.     -   (15) A method for making a medical device, comprising: providing         a polymer scaffold including a strut; making a grooved hole in         the strut including forming at least one groove in a wall of the         hole; and attaching a radiopaque marker to the scaffold         including placing the marker into the grooved hole.     -   (16) The method of (8) according to one or more, or any         combination of the following things: wherein the grooved hole         has vertical grooves extending generally parallel to a bore axis         of the hole; wherein the grooved hole has one or more spiral         grooves; wherein the grooved hole is a tapped hole having         between about 2 to 6 threads per 100 microns; wherein the         grooved hole is an annular hole disposed between upper and lower         rims of the hole; wherein the making the grooved hole includes         using a laser and reflector to etch the annular hole; wherein         the hole is polygonal hole; wherein the hole elliptical; further         comprising applying a polymer melt or coating to the hole and         marker, whereby the polymer becomes disposed between gaps         between the at least one groove and marker.     -   (17) A method, comprising: providing a scaffold made from a         polymer tube, the scaffold having a network of elements         including a strut; providing a hole in the strut or link,         wherein the hole extends from an abluminal surface to a luminal         surface of the strut; disposing a radiopaque marker at least         partially within the hole; and applying a coating comprising a         polymer to the luminal and abluminal surfaces; wherein a         thickness measured between abluminal and luminal surfaces of the         coating nearby to the marker (tc) is related to a length (L)         measured between abluminal and luminal surfaces of the coating         at the marker as 0.8≦(L/tc)≦1.8.     -   (18) The method of (10) according to one or more, or any         combination of the following things: wherein t is about 100         microns; and/or wherein the marker height (L), the marker is         secured to a strut, the strut thickness is t, and 1.1≦(L/t)≦1.5.     -   (19) A medical device, comprising: a scaffold made from a         polymer tube, the scaffold having a network of elements         including a strut or link; a hole formed in the strut or link,         wherein the hole extends from the abluminal surface to the         luminal surface; a radiopaque marker at least partially disposed         within the hole; and a coating comprising a polymer on the         luminal and abluminal surfaces; wherein a thickness measured         between abluminal and luminal surfaces of the coating adjacent         the marker (tc) is related to a length (L) measured between         abluminal and luminal surfaces of the coating at the marker as         1.1≦(L/tc)≦1.5.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

All publications and patent applications mentioned in the present specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. To the extent there are any inconsistent usages of words and/or phrases between an incorporated publication or patent and the present specification, these words and/or phrases will have a meaning that is consistent with the manner in which they are used in the present specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a prior art scaffold. The scaffold is shown in a crimped state (balloon not shown).

FIG. 2 is a top partial view of a scaffold showing a link connecting adjacent rings. The link includes holes for holding markers.

FIG. 2A is a partial side-cross sectional view of the link of FIG. 2 taken at section IIA-IIA with a spherical marker being placed in the hole.

FIG. 2B shows the link of FIG. 2A after the marker is placed in the hole.

FIGS. 3A-3C are cross sectional views of the link and marker of FIG. 2B according to one embodiment.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, 5A and 5B are top views of a link and marker according to another embodiment.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are top views of a link and marker according to another embodiment.

FIG. 6C is a side cross-sectional view of a link according to another embodiment.

FIGS. 7A-7B are cross sectional views of the link and marker according to any of the embodiments of FIGS. 4A, 4B, 5A and 5B.

FIG. 8A is a partial side-cross sectional view of a link according to another embodiment. A spherical marker is being placed in a hole of the link.

FIG. 8B shows the link of FIG. 8A after the marker is placed in the hole.

FIG. 8C shows a method for making the hole of FIG. 8A.

FIGS. 9A-9B show a side and top view, respectively, of a marker according to another embodiment.

FIG. 9C is a cross-sectional view of a link having a hole and the marker of FIGS. 9A-9B embedded in the hole.

FIGS. 10A-10B are cross-sectional views of a link and marker and method of attaching the marker to the link according to another embodiment.

FIGS. 11A-11B are cross-sectional views of a link and marker and method of attaching the marker to the link according to another embodiment.

FIGS. 12A-12B are cross-sectional views of a link and marker and method of attaching the marker to the link according to another embodiment.

FIGS. 13A-13B are cross-sectional views of a link and marker and method of attaching the marker to the link according to another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the description like reference numbers appearing in the drawings and description designate corresponding or like elements among the different views.

For purposes of this disclosure, the following terms and definitions apply:

The terms “about,” “approximately,” “generally,” or “substantially” mean 30%, 20%, 15%, 10%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1.5%, 1%, between 1-2%, 1-3%, 1-5%, or 0.5%-5% less or more than, less than, or more than a stated value, a range or each endpoint of a stated range, or a one-sigma, two-sigma, three-sigma variation from a stated mean or expected value (Gaussian distribution). For example, d1 about d2 means d1 is 30%, 20%, 15%, 10%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1.5%, 1%, 0% or between 1-2%, 1-3%, 1-5%, or 0.5%-5% different from d2. If d1 is a mean value, then d2 is about d1 means d2 is within a one-sigma, two-sigma, or three-sigma variance or standard deviation from d1.

It is understood that any numerical value, range, or either range endpoint (including, e.g., “approximately none”, “about none”, “about all”, etc.) preceded by the word “about,” “approximately,” “generally,” or “substantially” in this disclosure also describes or discloses the same numerical value, range, or either range endpoint not preceded by the word “about,” “approximately,” “generally,” or “substantially.”

A “stent” means a permanent, durable or non-degrading structure, usually comprised of a non-degrading metal or metal alloy structure, generally speaking, while a “scaffold” means a temporary structure comprising a bioresorbable or biodegradable polymer, metal, alloy or combination thereof and capable of radially supporting a vessel for a limited period of time, e.g., 3, 6 or 12 months following implantation. It is understood, however, that the art sometimes uses the term “stent” when referring to either type of structure.

“Inflated diameter” or “expanded diameter” refers to the inner diameter or the outer diameter the scaffold attains when its supporting balloon is inflated to expand the scaffold from its crimped configuration to implant the scaffold within a vessel. The inflated diameter may refer to a post-dilation balloon diameter which is beyond the nominal balloon diameter, e.g., a 6.5 mm balloon (i.e., a balloon having a 6.5 mm nominal diameter when inflated to a nominal balloon pressure such as 6 times atmospheric pressure) has about a 7.4 mm post-dilation diameter, or a 6.0 mm balloon has about a 6.5 mm post-dilation diameter. The nominal to post dilation ratios for a balloon may range from 1.05 to 1.15 (i.e., a post-dilation diameter may be 5% to 15% greater than a nominal inflated balloon diameter). The scaffold diameter, after attaining an inflated diameter by balloon pressure, will to some degree decrease in diameter due to recoil effects related primarily to, any or all of, the manner in which the scaffold was fabricated and processed, the scaffold material and the scaffold design.

When reference is made to a diameter it shall mean the inner diameter or the outer diameter, unless stated or implied otherwise given the context of the description.

When reference is made to a scaffold strut, it also applies to a link or bar arm.

“Post-dilation diameter” (PDD) of a scaffold refers to the inner diameter of the scaffold after being increased to its expanded diameter and the balloon removed from the patient's vasculature. The PDD accounts for the effects of recoil. For example, an acute PDD refers to the scaffold diameter that accounts for an acute recoil in the scaffold.

A “pre-crimp diameter” means an outer diameter (OD) of a tube from which the scaffold was made (e.g., the scaffold is cut from a dip coated, injection molded, extruded, radially expanded, die drawn, and/or annealed tube) or the scaffold before it is crimped to a balloon. Similarly, a “crimped diameter” means the OD of the scaffold when crimped to a balloon. The “pre-crimp diameter” can be about 2 to 2.5, 2 to 2.3, 2.3, 2, 2.5, 3.0 times greater than the crimped diameter and about 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.3 and about 1-1.5 times higher than an expanded diameter, the nominal balloon diameter, or post-dilation diameter. Crimping, for purposes of this disclosure, means a diameter reduction of a scaffold characterized by a significant plastic deformation, i.e., more than 10%, or more than 50% of the diameter reduction is attributed to plastic deformation, such as at a crown in the case of a stent or scaffold that has an undulating ring pattern, e.g., FIG. 1. When the scaffold is deployed or expanded by the balloon, the inflated balloon plastically deforms the scaffold from its crimped diameter. Methods for crimping scaffolds made according to the disclosure are described in US20130255853 (attorney docket 62571.628).

Bioresorbable scaffolds comprised of biodegradable polyester polymers are radiolucent. In order to provide for fluoroscopic visualization, radiopaque markers are placed on the scaffold. For example, the scaffold described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,388,673 ('673 patent) has two platinum markers 206 secured at each end of the scaffold 200, as shown in FIG. 2 of the '673 patent.

FIG. 2 is a top planar view of a portion of a polymer scaffold, e.g., a polymer scaffold having a pattern of rings interconnected by links as in the case of the '673 patent embodiments. There is a link strut 20 extending between rings 5 d, 5 in FIG. 2. The strut 20 has formed left and right structures or strut portions 21 b, 21 a, respectively, for holding a radiopaque marker. The markers are retainable in holes 22 formed by the structures 21 a, 21 b. The surface 22 a corresponds to an abluminal surface of the scaffold. An example of a corresponding scaffold structure having the link 20 is described in FIGS. 2, 5A-5D, 6A-6E and col. 9, line 3 through col. 14, line 17 of the '673 patent. The embodiments of a scaffold having a marker-holding link structure or method for making the same according to this disclosure in some embodiments include the embodiments of a scaffold pattern according to FIGS. 2, 5A-5D, 6A-6E and col. 9, line 3 through col. 14, line 17 of the '673 patent.

One method for marker placement forces a spherical-like body into a cylindrical hole. This process is illustrated by FIGS. 2A and 2B. Shown in cross-section is the hole 22 and surrounding structure of the link portion 21 a as seen from Section IIa-IIa in FIG. 2. The hole 22 extends through the entire thickness (t) of the strut portion 21 a and the hole 22 has an about constant diameter (d) from the luminal surface 22 b to the abluminal surface 22 a. A generally spherical marker 25 is force-fit into the hole 22 to produce the marker 25′ in the hole 22 illustrated in FIG. 2B. The spherical marker 25 has a volume about equal to, less than or greater than the volume of the open space defined by the plane of the abluminal surface 22 a, the plane of the luminal surface 22 b and the generally cylindrical walls 24 of the hole 22. The spherical body is reshaped into body 25′ by the walls 24 and a tool. The deformed shape 25′ may be achieved by using one or two rollers pressed against the sphere 25 when it is disposed within the hole 22. The rollers (not shown) are pressed against each side of the marker 25 to produce the deformed marker 25′ structure shown in FIG. 2B. Alternatively, the marker 25 may be held on a tip of a magnetized, or vacuum mandrel and pressed (from the abluminal surface 22 a side) into the hole 22 while a non-compliant flat surface is pressed into the marker from the luminal side 22 b. Referring to FIG. 2B, the marker 25′ has an abluminal surface 25 a that is about flush with surface 22 a and luminal surface 25 b that is about flush with surface 22 b. Methods for placing the marker 25 in the hole 22 are discussed in US20070156230.

According to one example, the hole 22 has a hole diameter (d) of 233.7 μm and an average initial spherical marker size (Johnson-Matthey marker beads) of 236.7 μm. The thickness (t) is 157.5 microns and hole 22 volume is t×πd²=6.76E6 μm³. The average spherical volume size is 6.94E6 μm³. Hence, in this embodiment when the spherical marker 25 is press-fit into the hole 22, the marker 25 is deformed from a generally spherical shape into more of a cylindrical shape. In some embodiments an average volume size for the marker 25 may be only slightly larger in volume (3%) than a hole 22 volume. Larger beads presumably stretch the marker brim while smaller beads will contact the walls 24 when deformed, but do not fill the hole 22 volume completely. As would be understood, the about flush with the luminal and abluminal surfaces accounts for the variances in marker 25 volume size from the manufacturer and volume size variances of the hole 22 volume.

TABLE 1 contains a theoretical volume of an average spherical platinum marker 25 relative to that of the hole 22 for a Scaffold A and a Scaffold B.

TABLE 1 Marker and Hole Dimensions Idealized Average Marker Average Strut Marker Marker Hole Marker Thickness Hole Diameter Volume Volume Scaffold (μm) Diameter (μm) (μm) (μm³) (μm³) A 157.5 233.7 236.7 6.76E6 6.94E6 B 100 241.3 236.7 4.57E6 6.94E6

The larger the marker volume is relative to the hole volume, the more the marker brim or space 22 must increase in size if the marker 25′ will be flush with the surfaces 22 a, 22 b. Otherwise, if the volume for the hole 22 does not increase marker material would be left protruding above and/or below the hole 22.

With respect to the different thickness struts of Scaffold A and Scaffold B (TABLE 1) it will be appreciated that an acceptable marker 25 fitting method and/or structure for Scaffold A (thick struts) may not be acceptable for Scaffold B (thin struts). It may be necessary to change the volume and/or shape size of the hole and/or marker, and/or method of attachment of the marker to a hole when a strut thickness is reduced in size, e.g., when there is an about 37% reduction in strut thickness.

There are several dimensional parameters that result in a physical interaction between the strut walls 24 and marker 25 surface sufficient to keep the marker in the hole 25 during scaffold manipulations, such as drug coating, crimping and scaffold expansion. Factors (1)-(3) that affect the physical securement of the marker 25′ in the hole 22 include:

-   -   (1) The interference fit between the marker 25′ and the inside         surface or brim 24 of the marker hole 22. This fit is a function         of         -   The total contact area between the marker 25′ and the             polymer walls or brim 24.         -   The residual stresses in the marker brim 24 polymer and 25′             that results in a compressive or hoop stress between the             marker brim 24 and marker 25′.     -   (2) The roughness of the marker 25′ surface and surface of the         brim 24, or coefficient of static friction between the         contacting marker and wall surfaces.     -   (3) Where a drug-polymer coating is applied (not shown in FIG.         2B), the gluing-in effect of the drug/polymer coating. The         contribution of this coating to marker 25′ retention comes down         to the fracture strength of the coating on the abluminal or         luminal surfaces 22 a, 22 b as the coating must fracture through         its thickness on either side for the marker 25′ to become         dislodged.

With respect to factor (3), in some embodiments an Everolimus/PDLLA coating is applied after the marker 25′ is fit in place. This type of coating can seal in the marker 25. However, an Everolimus/PDLLA coating tends to be thin (e.g., 3 microns on the abluminal surface 22 a and 1 micron on the luminal surface 22 b), which limits it's out of plane shear strength resisting dislodgment of the marker from the hole.

In some embodiments a polymer strut, bar arm and/or link has a thickness about, or less than about 100 microns, which is less than the wall thickness for known scaffolds cut from tubes. There are several desirable properties or capabilities that follow from a reduction in wall thickness for a scaffold strut; for example, a reduction from the Scaffold A wall thickness to Scaffold B wall thickness. The advantages of using the reduced wall thickness include a lower profile and hence better deliverability, reduced acute thrombogenicity, and potentially better healing. In some embodiments the Scaffold B (100 micron wall thickness) has a pattern of rings interconnected by struts as disclosed in the '673 patent.

In some embodiments it is desirable to use the same size marker 25 for Scaffold B as with Scaffold A, so that there is no difference, or reduction, in radiopacity between the two scaffold types. Reducing the strut thickness, while keeping the marker hole 22 the same size can however result in the marker protruding above and/or below the strut surfaces due to the reduced hole volume. It may be desirable to keep the abluminal and luminal surfaces 25 a, 25 b of the marker 25′ flush with corresponding surfaces 22 a, 22 b for Scaffold B, in which case the hole 22 diameter (d) may be increased to partially account for the reduced hole volume resulting from the thinner strut. This is shown in TABLE 1 for Scaffold B, which has a hole diameter greater than the hole diameter for Scaffold A.

With respect to Factor (1) it will be appreciated that the substantially frictional force relied on to resist dislodgement of the marker 25′ from the hole 22 reduces as the strut thickness is reduced. When using a fixed sized marker of constant volume, and assuming the marker fills a cylindrical hole, the contact area between the marker and hole sidewall may be expressed in terms of a marker volume and strut thickness, as in EQ. 1.

A=2(πtV)^(1/2)  (EQ. 1)

-   -   Where         -   A=Contact area between marker hole sidewall and marker         -   t=Strut thickness         -   V=marker volume

EQ. 1 shows that in a limiting case of the strut 21 a thickness becoming very thin (t→0), the marker 25′ becomes more and more like a thin disc, which would have minimal mechanical interaction with the wall 24. Hence the frictional forces between the marker 25′ and wall 24 decreases because the contact area is reduced. Comparing Scaffold A with Scaffold B, the marker 25′ retention force in the hole 22 therefore becomes worse due to the about 37% reduction in strut thickness. Indeed, it may be expected that the Factor A (frictional) forces that hold the marker 25′ in the hole reduce by about 20%, which 20% reduction is the surface area reduction of the walls 24 when the strut thickness is reduced by the about 37% (Scaffold A→Scaffold B). This assumes the coefficients of static friction and level of residual hoop stress are otherwise unchanged between Scaffold A and B.

According to another aspect of the disclosure there are embodiments of a strut having a hole for holding a radiopaque marker and methods for securing a marker to a strut. The embodiments address the ongoing need for having a more secure attachment of a marker to a polymer strut. In preferred embodiments the polymer strut has a thickness, or a scaffold comprising the strut is cut from a tube having a wall thickness less than about 160 μm or 150 μm, a wall thickness of about 100 μm or a wall thickness less than 100 μm and while retaining the same size marker as a strut having a thickness between 150-160 μm, so that the radiopacity of the scaffold does not change.

An improved securement of a marker to a hole according to the disclosure includes embodiments having one or more of the following Concepts A through G:

-   -   A. Following marker insertion a sealing biodegradable polymer is         applied to secure the marker in place (Concept A).     -   B. The strut hole is made in an irregular shape to increase an         adhesive and mechanical locking effect of a scaffold coating         (Concept B).     -   C. The marker has roughened surfaces to increase the coefficient         of friction between the polymer walls and marker (Concept C).     -   D. The holes are made concave to increase the contact area         and/or to provide a mechanical engagement between the marker and         the hole (Concept D).     -   E. Radiopaque markers shaped like, or usable as rivets are         attached to the hole (Concept E).     -   F. Polygonal or Irregular markers (Concept F).     -   G. Snap-in markers (Concept G).

A. Addition of a Sealing Biodegradable Polymer after Marker Insertion, but Before Drug Spray

According to Concept A, sealing layers of polymer 30 are applied to the abluminal and/or luminal surfaces 22 a, 22 b of the strut 21 a near the marker 25′ and luminal and abluminal surfaces 25 a, 25 b surfaces of the marker 25′ as shown in FIGS. 3A-3C. The amount of sealing polymer 30 applied on the marker 25 may be significant but without creating an unsatisfactory bump or protrusion on the abluminal or luminal surfaces. To increase the available space for the sealing polymer (without reducing the marker size or creating a large bump on the surface) the hole 22 may be made wider, so that the marker 25 when pressed and deformed into the hole 22 is recessed from the abluminal surface 22 a and/or abluminal surface 22 b. This is shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C. In FIG. 3B the marker 25′ is recessed from the side 22 a but flush with 22 b. In FIG. 3C the marker 25′ is recessed on both surfaces.

The sealing polymer 30 may be applied in different ways. One approach is to apply a small amount of solution consisting of a biodegradable polymer dissolved in solvent. This can be done with a fine needle attached to a micro-syringe pump dispenser. The solution could be applied to both the abluminal and luminal surfaces of the marker and marker brim portions of the hole 22 (FIGS. 3A-3C). Suitable polymers include poly(L-lactide) (“PLLA”), poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (“PLGA”), poly(D-lactide-co-glycolide), poly(D,L-lactide) (“PDLLA”) poly(L-lactide-co-caprolactone) (“PLLA-PCL”) and other bioresorbable polymers. Solvents include chloroform, acetone, trichloroethylene, 2-butanone, cyclopentanone, ethyl acetate, and cyclohexanone.

Alternatively, the sealing polymer may be applied in a molten state. As compared to the solvent application embodiment of the sealing polymer, a polymer applied in the molten state may produce a more sizable bump or protrusion on the abluminal and/or luminal surface 22 a, 22 b. While avoidance of bumps on these surfaces is generally of concern, small bumps or protrusions are acceptable if they are less than the strut thickness. For example, in some embodiments the bump is less than about 100 microns, or about 85 microns (combined bumps on luminal and abluminal sides). Thus the length of the marker (L′ or L) may be up to about 100 or 85 microns higher than the strut thickness, as in a strut thickness of about 100 or 85 microns.

B. Use of a Polygonal or Irregular Marker Hole to Improve Adhesive Effect of Coating

According to Concept B, the marker hole 22 is modified to increase the adhesive effect of a drug/polymer coating on increasing the marker retention. If larger gaps are made between the marker 25 and wall 24 of the hole 22 more of the coating can become disposed between the marker 25′ and wall 24 of the hole 22. The presence of the coating in this area (in addition to having coating extending over the surfaces 22 a, 25 a, 22 b and 25 a) can help to secure the marker 25 in the hole because the surface area contact among the coating, wall 24 and marker 25 is increased. Essentially, the coating disposed within the gaps between the wall 24 and marker 25 can perform more as an adhesive. In addition, the coating filling in around the deformed marker bead can improve retention via mechanical interlocking. Gaps can be made by forming the hole with rectangular, hexagonal or more generally polygonal sides as opposed to a round hole. When a spherical marker 25 is pressed into a hole having these types of walls there will be gaps at each wall corner.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show modified marker-holding strut portions 31 a, 31 b before and after, respectively, a marker 25 is pressed into each hole 32 of the strut portions 31 a, 31 b. The holes 32 are formed as rectangular holes. Since there are four sides 34 to a rectangular, there are four corners to the hole 32. As can be appreciated from FIG. 4B there are four gaps 33 between the hole walls 34 and the bead 25′. The gaps 33 are present at each wall corner of the rectangular hole 32.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show modified marker-holding strut portions 41 a, 41 b before and after, respectively, a marker 25 is pressed into each hole 42 of the strut portions 41 a, 41 b. The holes 42 are formed as hexagonal holes. Since there are six sides 44 to a hexagon, there are six corners to the hole 42. As can be appreciated from FIG. 5B there is at least one and up to six gaps 43 between the hole walls 44 and the marker 25′.

Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B there is shown cross-sectional side-views of the holes 32 and 42 with the marker 25′ in the hole. The view of FIG. 7A is taken from section VIIa-VIIa in FIGS. 4B and 5B. As shown there is the gap 33, 43 present at the corner, which provides space for the polymer coating 32 (FIG. 7B) to lodged when the coating is applied to the scaffold. The coating 32 is disposed between the surface of the marker 25′ and wall 34, 44 of the hole 32, 42 combined with the coating disposed on the luminal and/or abluminal surfaces 32 a, 32 b, 42 a, 42 b. The polymer coating 32 shown in FIG. 7B may be a drug-polymer coating or polymer coating applied by spraying, or a molten polymer applied to the brim of the hole 22 and over the marker 25′.

C. Roughened Wall Surfaces

FIGS. 6A and 6B show modified marker-holding strut portions 51 a, 51 b before and after, respectively, a marker 25′ is pressed into each hole 52 of the strut portions 51 a, 51 b.

The holes 52 are formed as bearclaw holes or holes having grooves 54 formed through the thickness and along the perimeter of the hole. The grooves 54 may be formed using a laser directed down into the hole and moved circumferentially about the perimeter to cut out the grooves 54. Each of the grooves 54 can serve as a gap that fills up with a coating or molten polymer 32 to form an adhesive binding surfaces of the marker 25′ to walls of the hole 52, in the same way as the embodiments of FIGS. 4A, 4B, 5A and 5B where the binding occurs at wall corners 33, 43.

Grooves may be formed as spiral grooves as opposed to grooves that extend straight down (i.e., into the paper in FIGS. 6A-6B). Spiral grooves may be formed by a tapping tool such as a finely threaded drill bit or screw (about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 4-10 threads per 100 microns). This structure is shown in FIG. 6C where a strut portion 51 a′ having an abluminal surface 52 a′ and hole 52′ is tapped to produce one or more spiral grooves surface 54′. The hole 52′ may have 2 to 10 threads per 100 microns, or a groove may have a pitch of about 10, 20, 30 or 50 microns.

Any combination of the Concept B and Concept C embodiments are contemplated. A hole may be polygonal such as rectangular, square or hexagonal with the grooves formed on walls. There may be 1, 2, 3, 4, 5-10, a plurality or grooves, grooves every 10, 20, 45, or 10-30 degrees about the perimeter of the hole. “Grooves” refers to either straight grooves (FIG. 6A-6B) or spiral grooves or threading (FIG. 6C). The grooves may be formed in a polygonal hole (e.g., square, rectangular, hexagonal) or elliptical hole (e.g., a circular hole).

D. Marker Having Concave Walls

According to Concept D, a marker hole has a concave surface between upper and lower rims to hold a marker in place. Referring to FIGS. 8A-8B, there is shown a strut portion 61 a having an abluminal and luminal surface 62 a, 62 b respectively and a hole 62 to receive the marker 25, as shown. The wall 64 of the hole is cylindrical, like in the FIG. 2A embodiment, except that the wall 64 includes an annular and concave surface (or groove) formed about the perimeter. The (groove) surface 64 c located between the upper and lower edges of the hole 62 is between an optional upper and lower rim 64 a, 64 b of the hole 62. The rims 64 a, 64 b help retain the marker 25 in the hole 62. According to this embodiment a hole has a pseudo-mechanical interlock feature provided by the annular groove 64 c. Referring to FIG. 8B the deformed marker 25′ has a portion 26 a generally taking the shape of the annular groove 64 c having a concave shape, or displacing into the space defined by this part of the wall when the marker is forced into the hole. The rims 64 a, 64 b, and the convex shape of 25′ nested into concave annular groove 64 c, resist dislodgment of the marker 25′ from the hole 62. As can be appreciated from FIG. 8B the marker 25′ would have to deform before it dislodges from the hole 62. Because the marker 25′ must deform to dislodge from the hole 62, the hole 62 having the annular groove 64 c between upper and lower rims 64 a, 64 b provides a mechanical interlock. In contrast to other embodiments, the structure shown in FIG. 8B need not rely primarily or solely on friction and/or an adhesive/coating to secure the marker in place.

FIG. 8C illustrates a method for making the hole 62 according to Concept D using a laser 200 reflected off a reflective surface 204 of a reflector tool or reflector 202. The reflector 202 is frustoconical and is configured to extend up through the untapped hole 20. The reflector 202 is pressed and held against the luminal surface 62 b to hold it in place. The reflective surface 204 is arranged at an angle of between 20 to 60 degrees with respect to the untapped wall of the hole 20. The surface 204 is arranged so that laser light impacts the wall 64 c′ at about a right angle as shown. The laser 200 is directed onto the surface 204, which reflects the light towards the wall and causes the laser energy to etch-out the groove. The laser is traced (or scanned) about the perimeter of the hole 20 to make the annular groove shown in FIG. 8A. The laser would trace a circle on the reflector 202, just inside the edges of the marker hole 20. The groove thickness (i.e., distance between the upper and lower rims 64 a, 64 b) can be up to about 60% to 80% and/or between about 20% to 50% of the strut thickness.

In the embodiments, the reflectors 202 having surface 204 can have a frustoconical part for each of the paired holes (FIG. 2), or instead have a set of hemispheres or cones for a set of marker holes An alternative laser reflector would be one which does not protrude into the marker bead hole but which presents a concave surface pressed up against the bottom of the hole with edges at surface 62 b. A laser beam imping on this surface would be reflected against the opposite wall of hole 20. In another embodiment, the annular groove may instead be formed by a pin having an oblate spheroid shaped at its tip. The tip of the pin is forced into the hole 20 so that the tip sits within the hole. The hole is deformed to have an annular groove as shown in FIG. 8A. Then the marker 25 is pressed into the hole 62 to take a similar shape as in FIG. 8B.

E. Radiopaque Markers as Rivets

According to Concept E, a marker shaped as a rivet is used in place of the spherical marker 25. FIGS. 9A and 9B show respective side and top views of the marker 27 shaped as a rivet. The head 28 may include the abluminal surface 27 a or luminal surface 27 b of the rivet 27. In the drawings, the head 28 includes the abluminal surface 27 a. It may be preferred to the have the head 28 be the luminal surface portion of the rivet 27 for assembly purposes, since then the scaffold may be placed over a mandrel and the tail portion of the rivet deformed by a tool (e.g., a pin) applied externally to the scaffold abluminal surface. The rivet 27 has a head diameter d1 and the shank 27 c diameter d2 is about equal to the hole 22 diameter. The head 28 has a height of h2, which is about the amount the head 28 will extend beyond the abluminal surface 22 a of the strut portion 21 a. While not desirable, it may be an acceptable protrusion for a head 28 that does not extend more than about 25 microns, or from about 5 to 10 microns up to about 25 microns from the abluminal surface 22 a, or a head that extends by an amount no more than about 25% of the strut thickness. The same extent of protrusion beyond the luminal surface 22 b may be tolerated for the deformed tail of the rivet.

Referring to FIG. 9C there is shown the rivet in the hole 22. The deformed tail 27 b′ secures the rivet 27 in the hole 22. The overall height h1 is preferably not more than about 40% or about 10%-40% greater than the strut thickness (t) and the tail height is about the same as, or within 5 to 200 microns in dimension compared to the head height h2.

The rivet 27 may be attached to the hole 22 of the strut portion 21 a by first inserting the rivet 27 into the hole 22 from the bore side of the scaffold so that the head 28 rests on the luminal surface 22 b of the strut portion 21 a. The scaffold is then slipped over a tight fitting mandrel. With the mandrel surface pressed against the head 28 a tool (e.g., a pin) is used to deform the tail 27 b to produce the deformed tail 27 b′ in FIG. 9C. In some embodiments, the rivet 27 may be first inserted into the hole 22 from the abluminal side so that head 28 rests on the abluminal surface 22 a of the strut potion 21 a. With the head 28 held in place by a tool or flat surface applied against the abluminal surface, the tail 27 b is deformed by a tool, pin, or mandrel which is inserted into the bore or threaded through the scaffold pattern from an adjacent position on the abluminal surface. In some embodiments the rivet 27 may be a solid body (FIG. 9A-9B) or a hollow body, e.g., the shank is a hollow tube and the opening extends through the head 28 of the rivet.

In some embodiments a rivet is a hollow or solid cylindrical tube and devoid of a pre-made head 28. In these embodiments the tube (solid or hollow) may be first fit within the hole then a pinch tool used to form the head and tail portions of the rivet.

Referring to FIGS. 10A-10B and 11A-11B there is shown embodiments for securing a marker using a starting cylindrical tube hollow (tube 65) or solid (tube 75), respectively.

Referring to FIGS. 10A-10B there is an attachment of a marker shaped as a hollow tube 65 placed into the strut portion 21 a hole and deformed using a pinching tool 60. FIG. 10B shows the deformed marker 65′. The tube 65 has an inside cylindrical surface 67 and outer diameter that is about, or slightly greater than the hole 22 diameter. The tube has an undeformed length about equal to about 10%-40%, or 40%-80% greater than the strut thickness (t). The deformed tube/rivet has a deformed length (h2) of about 10-50% greater than the strut thickness and/or an undeformed length (h3) of about 15% to 70% greater than the strut thickness (t).

The pinching tool 60 includes an upper arm 60 a and lower arm 60 b. The deforming faces of the two arms 60 a, 60 b are the same. The face includes a deforming face 62 a, 62 b respectively shaped as an apex, point, hemisphere or convex surface, so that when pressed into the tube the end portions extending above the strut surface 22 a, 22 b respectively will be pushed outwardly, as shown in FIG. 10B. The arm's flattening surface 63 a, 63 b flattens the material against the strut surface. As can be appreciated from the drawings the deformed ends 65 a′, 65 b′ of the deformed tube 65′ resemble the faces of the deforming faces 63 a, 63 b.

Referring to FIGS. 11A-11B there is an attachment of a marker shaped as a solid tube 75 placed into the strut portion 21 a hole and deformed using a pinching tool 70. FIG. 11B shows the deformed marker 75′. The tube has an undeformed length about equal to about 10%-40%, or 40%-80% greater than the strut thickness (t). The deformed tube/rivet has a deformed length (h2) of about 10-50% greater than the strut thickness and/or an undeformed length (h3) of about 15% to 70% greater than the strut thickness (t).

The pinching tool 70 includes an upper arm 70 a and lower arm 70 b. The deforming faces of the two arms 70 a, 70 b are the same. The faces include a deforming face 72 a for arm 70 a and deforming face 72 b for arm 70 b, both of which may be shaped with an apex, point, hemisphere, or convex surface, so that when pressed into the tube the end portions extending above the strut surface 22 a, 22 b respectively will be pushed outwardly, as shown in FIG. 11B. The arm's flattening surface 73 a, 73 b flattens the material against the strut surface. As can be appreciated from the drawings the deformed ends 75 a′, 75 b′ of the deformed tube 75′ resemble the faces of the deforming faces 73 a, 72 a, 73 b, and 73 a.

F. Use of a Polygonal or Irregular Marker Shape

According to Concept F, an irregular-shaped marker having protruding edges is placed in a lased hole prior to a thermal process that shrinks the lased hole. Polymeric bioresorbable scaffolds may be laser cut from a tube. This thin wall, precision tubing can be fabricated by extrusion and expansion processes that include stretch blow molding. The tubing resulting from such processes is formed by deformation of the polymer, which can result in residual stresses remaining in the tube. Heating the tube above its glass transition temperature (Tg) releases these stresses and can be used advantageously to shrink features such as lased marker bead holes to increase securement of a previously placed radiopaque marker. In an alternative embodiment, the temperature of the scaffold is raised above the Tg of the tube material and the marker placed into the softer, heated polymer. This allows the polymer to become more compliant, or flow and thus allow a marker, particularly an irregularly shaped marker, to interact with the polymer surfaces to a greater degree, thereby raising the frictional forces and/or forming a mechanical fit, depending on the marker type used.

Referring to FIGS. 12A and 12B there is shown an irregularly shaped marker 85 placed in the hole 22 of the strut portion 21 a. The hole 22 may be at ambient temperature or at an elevated temperature (about 0-20 Degrees C above the Tg of the strut material). Alternately, the hole 22 is heated above the Tg after the marker is inserted. The marker 85 has bumps, edges, corners or burrs 81 over its surface that when placed in the hole 22 deforms the hole, as illustrated in FIG. 12B. The engagement between the marker 85 and hole may form a mechanical interlock. For a marker with cylindrical symmetry, a degree of roughness can be defined as the maximum and minimum distances in terms of radius from the markers cylindrical axis (e.g., difference between inner and out diameter as a maximum degree of roughness, or % of inner or outer diameter). For the marker 85 this distance from max to min may be between 5 to 50% of the maximum marker diameter The marker may have a flower, star or polygonal shape to produce the same effect. When placed in the hole 22 the hole 22 deforms. The marker 85 may or may not deform, depending on the temperature of hole 22 and the hardness of the marker material.

G. Snap-In Marker

According to Concept G, a snap-in marker is used. Referring to FIGS. 13A and 13B there is shown a marker 95 having a preformed head 98 and tail 92. The shank 95 c of the marker has an extent about equal to that the hole 22, which in this case is a diameter. The length of the shank is about, slightly less, or slightly more than the strut thickness. In other embodiments the marker 95 may be rectangular, hexagonal or polygonal for fitting into the holes shown in FIG. 4A, 5A, 6A or 6C. The distance between abluminal surface 95 a and luminal surface 95 b in FIG. 13B satisfies inequality IE.2 or IE.4, defined below.

Platinum, and especially platinum/iridium alloys, are stronger than polymeric materials because they are metals. Many assembly and securement process use snap-fit parts where the tolerances and shapes are designed to hold parts together without fasteners. The main feature of the marker 95 is the head 98 and tail 92 having an enlarged diameter over the shank 95 c part. There could be formed on portions 98 and 92 round ridges, or more wedge shaped features. When pressed in, the polymer will deform preferentially allowing the tail 92 or head 98 to pass through, or imbed within the hole to become partially or fully recessed within the hole 22. When the tail 92 or head 98 passes completely through hole 22, the polymer surface 22 a or 22 b will snap under marker feature 98 or 92, securing it and preventing movement in either direction.

With respect to any of Concepts A through G, the marker material may be platinum, platinum/iridium alloy, iridium, tantalum, palladium, tungsten, niobium, zirconium, or alloys thereof. The marker material may also be of biodegradable metals such as iron, zinc, magnesium, manganese or their alloys.

For some embodiments included under Concept A (e.g., the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3A-3C); some embodiments included under Concept E (e.g., the embodiments shown in FIGS. 9A-9C, 10A-10B and 11A-11B); and some embodiments included under Concept G (e.g., the embodiments shown in FIGS. 13A-13B) the following inequalities IE.1-IE.4 apply:

t×(1.2)≦L≦t×(1.8) or 1.2(L/t)≦1.8  IE.1

t×(1.1)≦L′≦t×(1.5) or 1.1≦(L′/t)≦1.5  IE.2

t×(1.0)≦L≦t×(1.8) or 1.0≦(L/t)≦1.8  IE.3

t×(1.0)≦L′≦t×(1.5) or 1.0≦(L′/t)≦1.5  IE.4

Where:

-   -   t is the average strut, bar arm or link thickness, or wall         thickness of the tube from which the scaffold was made. The         thickness t may vary between about 80 to 150 microns, 80 to 120         microns, 80 to 110 microns, 80 to 100 microns, or the thickness         may be about 100 microns, or the thickness may be up to 130 or         140 microns;     -   L is an undeformed length of the marker (Concept E); and     -   L′ is a deformed length of the marker (measured from the         abluminal surface portion to the luminal surface portion for         Concept E), length of the marker (Concept G), or distance         between abluminal and luminal surfaces of a coating and/or         polymer fill (Concept A).

Exemplary values for t are about 80 microns to 120 microns, or about 100 microns and L′ or L being between about 100 microns and 150 microns.

The relations IE.1, IE.2, IE.3 and IE.4 reflect a need to maintain a low profile for struts exposed in the bloodstream, while ensuring the marker will be securely held in the strut. The concern addressed here is the degree thrombogenicity of the scaffold, which can be influenced by a strut thickness overall and/or protrusion from a strut surface. Blood compatibility, also known as hemocompatibility or thromboresistance, is a desired property for scaffolds and stents. The adverse event of scaffold thrombosis, while a very low frequency event, carries with it a high incidence of morbidity and mortality. To mitigate the risk of thrombosis, dual anti-platelet therapy is administered with all coronary scaffold and stent implantation. This is to reduce thrombus formation due to the procedure, vessel injury, and the implant itself. Scaffolds and stents are foreign bodies and they all have some degree of thrombogenicity. The thrombogenicity of a scaffold refers to its propensity to form thrombus and this is due to several factors, including strut thickness, strut width, strut shape, total scaffold surface area, scaffold pattern, scaffold length, scaffold diameter, surface roughness and surface chemistry. Some of these factors are interrelated. The effect of strut thickness on acute thrombogenicity has been documented and studied both in vivo and in silico.

The above description of illustrated embodiments of the invention, including what is described in the Abstract, is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described herein for illustrative purposes, various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize.

These modifications can be made to the invention in light of the above detailed description. The terms used in claims should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification. 

1. A method for making a medical device, comprising: providing a polymer scaffold including a strut having a hole formed in the strut, wherein the hole has a length and a width; and providing a radiopaque marker having a first end, second end, and medial portions; and attaching the marker to the scaffold including placing the marker into the hole; wherein when the marker is attached to the scaffold the medial portion is disposed in the hole and the marker is retained in the hole at least partially by one or both of the first and second ends.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the attaching step includes deforming at least one of the first and second ends such that the deformed end has a width greater than the hole width.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the marker is a rivet having a head and tail, and wherein the tail is the deformed end.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the rivet head is placed on a luminal side of the strut and held in place by a mandrel, and the tail disposed on the abluminal strut side is deformed by a roller or pin; or wherein the rivet head is placed on a abluminal side of the strut and held in place by a flat surface, tool, or surrounding cylinder; and the tail is disposed on the luminal strut side and deformed by a pin, roller, mandrel or tool.
 5. The method of claim 2, wherein the marker is a tube and both the first and second ends are deformed to have a width greater than the hole width.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the attaching step includes using a tool having jaws forming points to engage the tube ends, wherein the jaws deform the ends.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the marker is a snap-fit marker.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the marker has an undeformed length (L), a deformed length (L′), and the strut has a thickness (t), and the marker lengths and strut thickness are related as follows: t*(1.2)≦L≦t*(1.8) and 1.2≦(L/t)≦1.8; and t*(1.1)≦L′≦t*(1.5) and 1.1≦(L′/t)≦1.5.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the polymeric scaffold is heated 0-20 degrees above its Tg during marker placement.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the polymeric scaffold is heated 0-20 degrees above its Tg after marker placement.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the radiopaque marker is comprised of platinum, platinum/iridium alloy, iridium, tantalum, palladium, tungsten, niobium, zirconium, iron, zinc, magnesium, manganese or their alloys.
 12. A method for making a medical device, comprising: providing a polymer scaffold including a strut making a grooved hole in the strut including forming at least one groove in a wall of the hole; and attaching a radiopaque marker to the scaffold including placing the marker into the grooved hole.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the grooved hole has vertical grooves extending generally parallel to a bore axis of the hole.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the grooved hole has one or more spiral grooves.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the grooved hole is a tapped hole having between about 2 to 10 threads per 100 microns.
 16. The method of claim 12, wherein the grooved hole is an annular hole disposed between upper and lower rims of the hole.
 17. The method of claim 12, wherein the making the grooved hole includes using a laser and reflector to etch the annular hole.
 18. The method of claim 2, wherein the hole is a polygonal hole or an elliptical hole.
 19. The method of claim 2, further comprising applying a polymer melt or coating to the hole and marker, whereby the polymer becomes disposed between gaps between the at least one groove and marker.
 20. A method, comprising: providing a scaffold made from a polymer tube, the scaffold having a network of elements including a strut; providing a hole in the strut or link, wherein the hole extends from an abluminal surface to a luminal surface of the strut; disposing a radiopaque marker at least partially within the hole; and applying a coating comprising a polymer to the luminal and abluminal surfaces; wherein a thickness measured between abluminal surfaces of the coating nearby to the marker (t) is related to a length (L) measured between abluminal and luminal surfaces of the coating at the marker as 1.1≦(L/t)≦1.8. 